In Tajikistan, another policeman was arrested for torture

In Tajikistan, the investigator of the criminal investigation department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tursunzade, Eradj Naimov, was taken into custody. He is suspected of using torture against a local resident, Khasan Yodgorov, who had previously been falsely accused of murder, according to the Coalition against Torture in Tajikistan.

Recall that at the moment in the dock, there are two former colleagues of Eradj Naimov, investigators Sherali Azizov and Sadi Davlatmurodzoda. Relatives of the defendants deny their involvement in torture, lawyers avoid contact with the media.

Since last summer, the trial has been held in the building of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan under the chairmanship of the Supreme Court judge Yusuf Salimzoda.

The 27-year-old Eradj Naimov, who was initially at large on his own recognizance, was taken into custody in the Supreme Court on January 16.

Recall that in November 2017, a waiter Dmitry Karimov was killed in a rented apartment in Tursunzade. A month later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs spread a video in which it reported on the disclosure of the crime following a hot scent. The video showed Khasan Yodgorov, who told how he had stabbed Karimov several times. This video also claimed that Yodgorov admitted that he went to Karimov on the pretext of searching for apartment for rent and took the waiter’s personal things with him after the murder.

The trial was to begin over Yodgorov. He was threatened with up to 12 years in prison. However, the man was released after another suspect was detained. According to investigators, the real killer was a resident of Tursunzade, Leonid Malchenkov, who sold the phone that he had stolen from Karimov, and the new owner began using it recently. During the arrest, he pointed to the seller. During a search, other material evidence of the crime was discovered. After that, law enforcement officers decided to release Yodgorov.

In autumn 2018, Leonid Malchenkov was sentenced to 21 years in prison

After his release, in August 2018, Khasan Yodgorov said that he had no complaints against law enforcement agencies. By law, he has the right to demand compensation. However, he did not make official complaints.

Relatives of the defendants deny their involvement in torture.

Meanwhile, according to Sharofat Narzikulova, the mother of Khasan Yodgorov, the defendants tried to lay the blame at each other during the trial, that caused confusion.

The practice of torture is widespread in Tajikistan, both against detainees and against prisoners, especially those serving time for political reasons. Last year, the country’s authorities decided to tighten the sentence for those guilty of torture and cruel treatment. From now on, they face only imprisonment for a term of 2 to 15 years. On October 16, the Parliament of Tajikistan adopted amendments to the country’s Criminal Code. Previously, the article “Torture” in the Criminal Code provided for a fine of 20 to 50 thousand somoni (from $2000 to $ 5000), or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 5 years.

The Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan said that the amendments were adopted in accordance with the recommendations of the UN Committee against Torture and in accordance with the country’s Anti-Torture National Plan.